Read by Matilda Longbottom
Dear Gardeners,
Welcome to the October 2025 issue of Food Gardening Magazine!
Here in the Northeast where I live, October is pure magic–the kind of month that makes you want to spend every daylight hour outside, knowing winter’s waiting just around the corner. My garden is heavy with pumpkins sprawling across their beds, apples hanging from branches, and cucumbers still producing like they’re racing against the first frost. It’s pickle season, and my kitchen counter is lined with mason jars waiting to be filled.
I admit, I’ve fallen completely in love with pickling. What started as a simple way to preserve my cucumber overflow has turned into a full-blown obsession. Last weekend, I pickled everything I could get my hands on–radishes, carrots, even some green tomatoes that weren’t going to ripen in time. I love capturing summer’s flavors in a jar, knowing I’ll taste that garden-fresh crunch in the dead of February.
I’m also using October to plan next year’s “pickle garden.” I’ve been taking notes on which cucumber varieties gave me the best crunch, which herbs made my brines sing, and where I can squeeze in more dill. It’s never too early to dream about next season, especially when you’re holding a jar of homemade kosher dills that taste better than anything you could buy at the store.
For October, I’m also experimenting with extending my growing season. I’ve got row covers ready to throw over my lettuce beds, and I’m testing how long I can keep my pepper plants producing under a simple hoop house. Every extra week of fresh harvest feels like a small victory against the approaching cold. OK, now let’s see what’s in this month’s issue!
Cover Stories
This month’s featured articles dive deep into the art of preservation and planning ahead for next season’s bounty:
- The Art and Science of Pickling: A Home Gardener’s Guide to Pickling Success. Pickling is having a moment, and it’s no longer confined to grandma’s cellar or dusty jars in a pantry. From small-scale home kitchens to thriving farm stands, discover the tangy tradition that combines creativity, preservation, and a splash of science.
- Planning Your Pickle Garden for 2026: The Ultimate Guide to Pickle-Perfect Plants. As we prepare for a tangy and tantalizing 2026, it’s time to plan the garden of your pickling dreams. Whether you’re a dill devotee or an adventurous fermenter, this guide will help you select the best cucumbers and companion veggies for pickling success.
- The Perfect Kosher Dill Pickles: A Step-by-Step Guide. Transform your garden’s cucumber harvest into crunchy, tangy perfection with this comprehensive guide to making kosher dill pickles. Whether you’re a seasoned pickler or a brining beginner, you’ll be pickling like a pro.
Fresh Takes
October’s planting opportunities vary dramatically by zone, but there’s something for every gardener to do this month. Whether you’re battening down for winter or still enjoying warm growing weather, we’ve got you covered:
- What to Plant in October in Zones 4–6: Focus on garlic planting, cover crops, and protecting tender plants as frost approaches.
- What to Plant in October in Zones 7–8: Take advantage of the sweet spot for cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and radishes.
- What to Plant in October in Zones 9–10: Enjoy prime planting time for winter vegetables and herbs while summer heat finally breaks.
Plant Close-Ups
This month’s plant profiles celebrate the unsung heroes of fall gardening and the science behind some of our favorite flavors:
- What to Grow with Beets: Discover the perfect companion plants that help beets thrive while maximizing your garden space.
- The Science of Spiciness in Ginger: Uncover what makes ginger burn, how growing conditions affect heat levels, and tips for cultivating the perfect zing.
- How to Use Pumpkins in Unique Ways: Move beyond jack-o’-lanterns with creative culinary and garden uses for your pumpkin harvest.
- Are You Storing Onions the Wrong Way? Learn proper storage techniques for every onion variety to keep your harvest fresh for months.
- Radicchio as a Soil Ally: Explore how this bitter beauty can actually improve your garden’s health while adding color to your fall beds.
Get Your Indoor Gardening Planning Kit
As outdoor growing winds down, it’s time to think about bringing the garden inside! Our Indoor Gardening Planning Kit helps you transition to year-round growing with space-efficient layouts, lighting guides, and crop selection tips perfect for windowsills, grow lights, and everything in between.
Featured Videos
This month’s videos celebrate preservation, creativity, and the art of making the most of your harvest:
- How to Pickle: 3 Ways: Master quick pickles, fermented pickles, and canned pickles with step-by-step guidance.
- Planning a Garden with the Best Vegetables for Pickling and Preservation: Get ahead of next season with smart crop selection and garden layout tips.
- Spud-tacular Crafts: Unearth the Potential of Potatoes: Fun and creative ways to use potatoes beyond the dinner table–perfect for family activities.
- The Best Pumpkins to Grow for Carving & Tricks for the Ultimate Jack ‘O Lantern: Choose the right varieties and master carving techniques for Halloween success.
- Pumpkin Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Bacon: Turn your pumpkin harvest into the ultimate comfort food sandwich.
Chili Recipe Collection
When October’s chill sets in, nothing beats a steaming bowl of homemade chili. We’ve gathered our favorite recipes that showcase garden-grown ingredients and warm you from the inside out:
- Easy Slow Cooker Beef Chili: A set-it-and-forget-it classic that lets your peppers and tomatoes shine.
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili: Spicy, creamy, and perfect for using up those hot peppers before frost hits.
- Pulled Pork Chili: Rich and smoky with a touch of sweetness–ideal for feeding a crowd.
- Wonderful White Chicken Chili: Light but satisfying, featuring white beans and fresh herbs from your fall garden.
- Classic Cincinnati Chili: A unique regional favorite that’s surprisingly easy to master at home.
Let Your Garden Lead the Way
Don’t forget to download your Indoor Gardening Planning Kit! Gold Members can explore our Gardening Kits tab for additional resources:
Check them out now, and download your favorites!
Whether you’re filling jars with pickles, planning next year’s preservation garden, or savoring the last warm days with a bowl of garden-fresh chili, October reminds us that gardening is about more than just growing–it’s about capturing, preserving, and sharing the abundance we’ve nurtured all season long.
Happy harvesting and preserving!
Warm regards,
Christy Page
Editor & Publisher
P.S. What’s your favorite thing to pickle from the garden? I’m always looking for new ideas to try, and I’d love to hear about your most successful (or most adventurous) pickling experiments! Share them in the comments below!
